How to Pronounce “dialogue”

American (US)

/ˈdaɪəˌlɔɡ/

British (UK)

/ˈdaɪəlɒɡ/

Australian (AU)

/ˈdɑeəlɔɡ/

noun — A conversation or other form of discourse between two or more individuals.

Example: Melinda and Bill maintained a dialogue via email over the course of their long-distance relationship.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈdaɪəˌlɔɡ/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “dialogue” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “dialogue” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈdaɪəˌlɔɡ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈdaɪəˌlɔɡ/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "dialogue" mean?

dialogue (noun): A conversation or other form of discourse between two or more individuals. For example — Melinda and Bill maintained a dialogue via email over the course of their long-distance relationship.

How do you pronounce "dialogue" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈdaɪəˌlɔɡ/. British English: /ˈdaɪəlɒɡ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "dialogue"?

/ˈdaɪəˌlɔɡ/ in American English, /ˈdaɪəlɒɡ/ in British English, /ˈdɑeəlɔɡ/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "dialogue"?

“dialogue” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈdaɪəˌlɔɡ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

• Silent U words